Monitoring configuration of an inventory of devices using captured images of the devices

ABSTRACT

The technologies described herein are generally directed to monitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices using captured images of a site. For example, a method described herein can include identifying a group of equipment installed at locations within a site. The method can further include, based on an image captured at the site by image capture equipment, detecting configuration activity at the site. Further, the method includes, based on analysis of the image, associating, by the tracking equipment, the configuration activity with equipment of the group of equipment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject application is related to different approaches to handlingmanagement of an inventory of devices and, for example, to providingnotice that a configuration of the inventory of devices has changed.

BACKGROUND

As the number of systems and processes involved in installation andreconfiguration of network services continues to increase, managementproblems are becoming more likely. In some systems, an inventory systemis maintained with characteristics and configurations of differentinstalled devices. Problems can occur when changes in the configurationof devices are implemented without properly updating the inventorysystem.

These problems with proper updates can increase in likelihood areaggravated based on different ways that configuration can be made todevices. For example, when systems are, to change configurations,physically manipulated by technicians, the inventory system can beimproperly updated, e.g., because of missing documentation ordocumentation mistakes made by or on behalf of the technician. When anew device is added or removed, a component of a device is added orremoved, or a configuration setting is made at a terminal of a dataserver, and the changes made are not properly entered, the deployedinventory of devices can be rendered out of sync with the inventorysystem, and even more problems can occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology described herein is illustrated by way of example and notlimited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numeralsindicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of an example system that canfacilitate monitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices usingcaptured images of a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a non-limiting example system that can facilitatemonitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices using capturedimages of a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a non-limiting example system that can facilitatemonitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices using capturedimages of a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an example site plan that illustratesdifferent embodiments of monitoring the inventory of devices withcaptured images of a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a non-limiting example system that can facilitateutilizing AI/ML techniques to detect configuration changes and mapdetected changes to inventoried equipment, in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method that can facilitate monitoring theconfiguration of an inventory of devices using captured images of asite, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a system that can facilitate monitoring the configurationof an inventory of devices using captured images of a site, inaccordance with one or more embodiments

FIG. 8 depicts an example non-transitory machine-readable medium thatcan include executable instructions that, when executed by a processorof a system, facilitate monitoring the configuration of an inventory ofdevices using captured images of a site, in accordance with one or moreembodiments described above.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of an example mobile handsetoperable to engage in a system architecture that can facilitateprocesses described herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of an example computeroperable to engage in a system architecture that can facilitateprocesses described herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, one or more embodiments can facilitate monitoringthe configuration of an inventory of devices using captured images of asite. In addition, one or more embodiments described herein can bedirected towards a multi-connectivity framework that supports theoperation of new radio (NR, sometimes referred to as 5G). As will beunderstood, one or more embodiments can allow an integration of userdevices with network assistance, by supporting control and mobilityfunctionality on cellular links (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) or NR).One or more embodiments can provide benefits including, systemrobustness, reduced overhead, and global resource management, whilefacilitating direct communication links via a NR sidelink.

It should be understood that any of the examples and terms used hereinare non-limiting. For instance, while examples are generally directed tonon-standalone operation where the NR backhaul links are operating onmillimeter wave (mmWave) bands and the control plane links are operatingon sub-6 GHz LTE bands, it should be understood that it isstraightforward to extend the technology described herein to scenariosin which the sub-6 GHz anchor carrier providing control planefunctionality could also be based on NR. As such, any of the examplesherein are non-limiting examples, any of the embodiments, aspects,concepts, structures, functionalities or examples described herein arenon-limiting, and the technology may be used in various ways thatprovide benefits and advantages in radio communications in general.

In some embodiments the non-limiting terms “signal propagationequipment” or simply “propagation equipment,” “radio network node” orsimply “network node,” “radio network device,” “network device,” andaccess elements are used herein. These terms may be usedinterchangeably, and refer to any type of network node that can serveuser equipment and/or be connected to other network node or networkelement or any radio node from where user equipment can receive asignal. Examples of radio network node include, but are not limited to,base stations (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) nodes such as MSR BS,gNodeB, eNode B, network controllers, radio network controllers (RNC),base station controllers (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay,base transceiver stations (BTS), access points (AP), transmissionpoints, transmission nodes, remote radio units (RRU) (also termed radiounits herein), remote ratio heads (RRH), and nodes in distributedantenna system (DAS). Additional types of nodes are also discussed withembodiments below, e.g., donor node equipment and relay node equipment,an example use of these being in a network with an integrated accessbackhaul network topology.

In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) is used.This term can refer to any type of wireless device that can communicatewith a radio network node in a cellular or mobile communication system.Examples of UEs include, but are not limited to, a target device, deviceto device (D2D) user equipment, machine type user equipment, userequipment capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDAs,tablets, mobile terminals, smart phones, laptop embedded equipped (LEE),laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, and other equipment thatcan have similar connectivity. Example UEs are described further withFIGS. 9 and 10 below. Some embodiments are described in particular for5G new radio systems. The embodiments are however applicable to anyradio access technology (RAT) or multi-RAT system where the UEs operateusing multiple carriers, e.g., LTE.

The computer processing systems, computer-implemented methods, apparatusand/or computer program products described herein employ hardware and/orsoftware to solve problems that are highly technical in nature (e.g.,tracking complex inventories of devices), that are not abstract andcannot be performed as a set of mental acts by a human. For example, ahuman, or even a plurality of humans, cannot efficiently detect changesto device configurations with the same level of accuracy and/orefficiency as the various embodiments described herein.

Aspects of the subject disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which examplecomponents, graphs and selected operations are shown. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the variousembodiments. For example, some embodiments described can facilitatemonitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices using capturedimages of a site. Different examples that describe these aspects areincluded with the description of FIGS. 1-10 below. It should be notedthat the subject disclosure may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to this example or other examples setforth herein.

FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of an example system 100 that canfacilitate monitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices usingcaptured images of a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.For purposes of brevity, description of like elements and/or processesemployed in other embodiments is omitted. It should be noted that,although many examples herein discuss user equipment with one additionalnetwork identifier (e.g., dual-provisioned user equipment), one havingskill in the relevant art(s), given the description herein wouldappreciate that the approaches can also apply to any number of networkidentifiers associated with a user equipment.

As depicted, system 100 can include change detection equipment 150communicatively coupled to inventory tracking equipment 170 andinventory site 185 via network 190. Inventory site 185 is depicted inthis example including inventoried equipment 145 and image captureequipment 142. A detailed description of the components of inventorytracking equipment 170 is discussed with FIG. 2 below, and a detaileddescription of different aspects of inventory site 185 is discussed withFIG. 4 below.

In the non-limiting example depicted, change detection equipment 150includes computer executable components 120, processor 160, storagedevice 162, and memory 165. Computer executable components 120 caninclude inventory identifying component 122, change detecting component124, change mapping component 126, and other components described orsuggested by different embodiments described herein, that can improvethe operation of system 100.

Further to the above, it should be appreciated that these components, aswell as aspects of the embodiments of the subject disclosure depicted inthis figure and various figures disclosed herein, are for illustrationonly, and as such, the architecture of such embodiments are not limitedto the systems, devices, and/or components depicted therein. Forexample, in some embodiments, change detection equipment 150 can furthercomprise various computer and/or computing-based elements describedherein with reference to mobile handset 900 of FIG. 9 , and operatingenvironment 1000 of FIG. 10 . For example, one or more of the differentfunctions of network equipment can be divided among various equipment,including, but not limited to, including equipment at a central nodeglobal control located on the core Network, e.g., mobile edge computing(MEC), self-organized networks (SON), or RAN intelligent controller(RIC) network equipment.

In some embodiments, memory 165 can comprise volatile memory (e.g.,random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc.)and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., read only memory (ROM), programmableROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), etc.) that can employ one or more memoryarchitectures. Further examples of memory 165 are described below withreference to system memory 1006 and FIG. 10 . Such examples of memory165 can be employed to implement any embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

According to multiple embodiments, storage device 162 can include, butis not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storagetechnology, Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD ROM), digital video disk(DVD), blu-ray disk, or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by the computer.

According to multiple embodiments, processor 160 can comprise one ormore processors and/or electronic circuitry that can implement one ormore computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/or executablecomponents and/or instructions that can be stored on memory 165. Forexample, processor 160 can perform various operations that can bespecified by such computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/orexecutable components and/or instructions including, but not limited to,logic, control, input/output (I/O), arithmetic, and/or the like. In someembodiments, processor 160 can comprise one or more componentsincluding, but not limited to, a central processing unit, a multi-coreprocessor, a microprocessor, dual microprocessors, a microcontroller, asystem on a chip (SOC), an array processor, a vector processor, andother types of processors. Further examples of processor 160 aredescribed below with reference to processing unit 1004 of FIG. 10 . Suchexamples of processor 160 can be employed to implement any embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, computer executable components 120 can beused in connection with implementing one or more of the systems,devices, components, and/or computer-implemented operations shown anddescribed in connection with FIG. 1 or other figures disclosed herein.For example, in one or more embodiments, computer executable components120 can include instructions that, when executed by processor 160, canfacilitate performance of operations defining inventory identifyingcomponent 122. As discussed with FIGS. 3-5 below, inventory identifyingcomponent 122 can, in accordance with one or more embodiments, identifya group of equipment installed at locations within a site. For example,in one or more embodiments, identify a group of inventoried equipment145 installed at locations within inventory site 185.

Further, in another example, in one or more embodiments, computerexecutable components 120 can include instructions that, when executedby processor 160, can facilitate performance of operations definingchange detecting component 124. As discussed with FIGS. 3-5 below,change detecting component 124 can, in accordance with one or moreembodiments, based on an image captured at the site by image captureequipment, detect configuration activity at the site. For example, inone or more embodiments, based on an image captured at the site by imagecapture equipment 142, detect configuration activity for inventoriedequipment 145 at inventory site 185.

In yet another example, computer executable components 120 can includeinstructions that, when executed by processor 160, can facilitateperformance of operations defining change mapping component 126. Asdiscussed herein, change mapping component 126 can, based on analysis ofthe image, associate the configuration activity with equipment of thegroup of equipment. For example, in one or more embodiments, based onanalysis of the image, associating the configuration activity withinventoried equipment 145 of the group of equipment at inventory site185.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a non-limiting example system 200 that canfacilitate monitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices usingcaptured images of a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.For purposes of brevity, description of like elements and/or processesemployed in other embodiments is omitted.

As depicted, system 200 can include inventory tracking equipment 170connected to change detection equipment 150 at inventory site 185 vianetwork 190. It should be noted that, in contrast to FIG. 1 , in FIG. 2, change detection equipment is depicted as operating at inventory site185. This placement of functions is a non-limiting example of wheredifferent operations can be performed.

Change detection equipment 150 can include memory 165 that can store oneor more computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/or executablecomponents and/or instructions 220 that, when respectively executed byprocessor 160, can facilitate performance of operations defined by theexecutable component(s) and/or instruction(s).

In system 200, computer executable components 220 can include inventorymanagement component 212, inventory updating component 214, and othercomponents described or suggested by different embodiments describedherein that can improve the operation of system 200. It should beappreciated that these components, as well as aspects of the embodimentsof the subject disclosure depicted in this figure and various figuresdisclosed herein, are for illustration only, and as such, thearchitecture of such embodiments are not limited to the systems,devices, and/or components depicted therein. For example, in someembodiments, inventory tracking equipment 170 can further comprisevarious computer and/or computing-based elements described herein withreference to mobile handset 900 of FIG. 9 and operating environment 1000described with FIG. 10 .

In a non-limiting example, in one or more embodiments, computerexecutable components 220 can be used in connection with implementingone or more of the systems, devices, components, and/orcomputer-implemented operations shown and described in connection withFIG. 2 or other figures disclosed herein. For example, in one or moreembodiments, computer executable components 220 can include instructionsthat, when executed by processor 160, can facilitate performance ofoperations defining inventory management component 212. As discussedfurther herein, in one or more embodiments, inventory managementcomponent 212 can receive equipment information corresponding to a groupof equipment installed at a site, wherein the equipment informationcomprises information corresponding to respective locations andrespective configurations of respective ones of the group of equipment.For example, one or more embodiments can receive equipment informationcorresponding to a group of inventoried equipment 145 installed atinventory site 185. In some implementations, the equipment informationcan include information corresponding to respective locations andrespective configurations of respective ones of the group of equipment,e.g., with example locations and configurations discussed in more detailwith FIG. 4 below.

In another example, in one or more embodiments, computer executablecomponents 220 can include instructions that, when executed by processor160, can facilitate performance of operations defining, inventoryupdating component 214. As discussed with FIGS. 4-5 below, inventoryupdating component 214 can receive, from configuration detectionequipment, updated equipment information for identified equipment of thegroup of equipment, with the updated equipment information including anupdated configuration applicable to the identified equipment. In one ormore embodiments, the updated configuration was generated by theconfiguration detection equipment to update a configuration of theidentified equipment based on an identified change. For example, in oneor more embodiments, inventory updating component 214 can receive fromchange detection equipment 150, updated equipment information foridentified equipment of the group of inventoried equipment 145, with theupdated equipment information including an updated configurationapplicable to the identified equipment. Additional details of differentconfigurations are described with FIG. 5 below.

In one or more embodiments, the identified change was identified (e.g.,by change detection component 124 of FIG. 1 ) based on an analysis ofthe activity to identify a change to the configuration of the identifiedequipment, resulting in the identified change. In an example, an imageof activity at the site can be captured by image capture equipment,e.g., image capture equipment 142 at inventory site 185. Analysis of theactivity at the site can be performed in different ways that arerecognized by one having skill in the relevant art(s), given thedescription herein. Additionally, in examples discussed with FIG. 5below, different artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) can beused with one or more embodiments to perform different functions, e.g.,detecting the configuration activity and mapping the activity toparticular inventoried equipment 145.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a non-limiting example system 300 that canfacilitate monitoring the configuration of an inventory of devices usingcaptured images of a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.For purposes of brevity, description of like elements and/or processesemployed in other embodiments is omitted.

As depicted, system 300 includes change detection equipment 150communicatively coupled to inventory tracking equipment 170 and imagecapture equipment 350A-B (with only the connection to image captureequipment 350A being shown) at inventory site 185. Equipment 310A-C aredepicted at inventory site 185, with image capture equipment 350A-Brespectively placed to monitor equipment 310A-B. It should be notedthat, in contrast to FIGS. 1 and 2 , in FIG. 3 inventory trackingequipment 170 is depicted at inventory site 185.

As described above, in one or more embodiments, identified change wasidentified based on an analysis of the activity to identify a change tothe configuration of the identified equipment. In an example, thischange can be identified by change detection equipment 150 based on theequipment information stored in inventory tracking equipment 170, e.g.,a data storage system that can store information corresponding torespective locations and respective configurations of respective ones ofthe group of equipment. For example, if a configuration change isdetected by image capture equipment 350A, the location of image captureequipment 350A can be matched to the location of equipment 310A, e.g.,to determine that equipment 310A is the device with the configurationbeing changed.

It should be noted that image capture equipment 310A-B is definedbroadly herein, including but not limited to still image capturingdevices and video capturing devices, e.g., a still image camera and avideo camera, respectively, with video cameras being considered ascapturing a sequence of images that can be used by one or moreembodiments. It should further be noted that image capture equipment310A-B can be devices deployed specifically to capture images forembodiments, or can be devices installed for other uses as well, e.g.,security cameras.

In another operation that can be performed by one or more embodiments,after the change activity is detected and correlated to particularequipment, the inventory system can be updated based on the equipmentand the configuration activity. Thus, for example, if an additionalcomponent is installed at a cooling station of a data center, thischange could be detected by one or more embodiment, and the recordsdescribing the configuration of the cooling station stored in inventorytracking equipment 170 can be updated to reflect the change.

To illustrate different types of configuration activities, differentdeployments of image capture equipment 350A-C, and different inventoriedequipment 310A-C, FIG. 4 includes a more detailed example site plan andexamples for an instance of inventory site 185.

FIG. 4 depicts an example site plan 400 that illustrates differentembodiments of monitoring the inventory of devices with captured imagesof a site, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposes ofbrevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed in otherembodiments is omitted.

As depicted, site plan 400 includes a simple diagram of building 401 atinventory site 185, in accordance with one or more embodiments. Building401 includes indoor and outdoor features that can be relevant to one ormore embodiments. Indoor features include entryway 402, hallway 403,equipment storage 480, and data center 470. Example outdoor featuresinclude entrance 420 into entryway 402, loading dock 493 into equipmentstorage 480, as well as equipment maintenance vehicle 495 and equipmentdelivery vehicle 492. Inventoried equipment installed in data center 470includes communications equipment 476, rackmount server equipment 472,and power and cooling equipment 474A-B.

Additional relevant hardware (e.g., components that can be installed ininventoried equipment) include cooling system component 476, e.g., acomponent described in an example above as changing a configuration ofpower and cooling equipment 474A-B. Also depicted and as discussed withexamples below, example image capture equipment 430A-F are placed indifferent positions in relation to indoor and outdoor elements of siteplan 400.

Turning to the detection of configuration activity, one or moreembodiments can analyze images from image capture equipment 430A-F forpatterns between physical activities captured by cameras and changes toinventoried equipment at inventory site 185. For example, differentconfiguration activities, including but not limited to addition ofcomponents, removal of components, and updates to componentconfigurations can have different features that can be detected fromcaptured images. For example, image capture equipment 430E can capturean image of equipment delivery vehicle 492, and image capture equipment430D can capture an image of cooling system component 476 beingdelivered through dock 493. Because, in this example, equipment deliveryvehicle 492 is identified by embodiments as being from a cooling systemcomponent supplier, and cooling system component 476 has identifyingfeatures of its box (e.g., distinctive pictures, bar codes, etc.), oneor more embodiments can identify these as detected configurationactivities associated with power and cooling equipment at inventory site185, e.g., power and cooling equipment 474A or 474B. Other componentsthat can be added or removed from equipment include, but are not limitedto, non-volatile and volatile storage, peripheral cards with differentfunctions, and communications interface components, e.g., portcomponents.

Continuing this example, equipment maintenance vehicle 495 can beidentified (e.g., by image capture equipment 430G) as being for a powerand cooling services technician (e.g., from markings on the vehicle,license plate, etc.), a technician arrives in maintenance vehicle 495 ata particular time and is identified as a power and cooling tech. One ormore embodiments can be set to capture even small details, such as toolsbrought into building 401, e.g., detection of particular tools for powerand cooling repairs can make a planned configuration change based onpower can cooling more likely.

In this example, the identified technical resource is detected cominginto building 401, moving through entryway 402 to hallway 403, andmoving into data center 470, e.g., by image capture equipment 430A and430F-G. It should be noted that the image capture equipment 430A and430D-G discussed so far are placed to detect the types of eventsdiscussed in the previous examples, e.g., placed to monitor wheredevices and device components are brought onsite or taken offsite,monitoring individual devices individually in areas that have largeamounts of equipment, such as data center 470.

At this point in the example, one or more embodiments of changedetecting component 124 can have detected the above-noted activity, andchange mapping component 126 can be used to attempt to determine theinventory equipment that is implicated by the events, e.g., one or moreof power and cooling equipment 474A-B. In one or more embodiments, tonarrow down the potential inventory equipment implicated, image captureequipment 430C can be directed toward power and cooling equipment 474Aand image capture equipment 430H can be directed toward power andcooling equipment 474B. This individual monitoring of devices ormonitoring of small groups of devices can facilitate more accuratedetection of configuration changes.

In one approach to improving accuracy, embodiments can assess theproximity of cooling system component 476 to either of power and coolingequipment 474B, e.g., based on a set threshold distance to reduce thelikelihood of false positives. Another threshold that can be applied toimprove accuracy concerns the duration of a detected activity, e.g.,installing cooling system component 476 can be set by the system to beat least over a particular threshold duration, that is, if an activityis determined to have been completed too quickly, the installation ofcooling system component 476 can be determined to be less likely.

It should be noted that, by using a proximity threshold, one or moreembodiments can utilize periodic still images for analysis rather than amore constant video recording, e.g., after reviewing periodicallycaptured images, whichever of power and cooling equipment 474A-B isshown as closest to cooling system component 476 can be estimated to bethe implicated equipment.

In another approach to utilizing data from image capture equipment 430Cand 430H (e.g., image capture equipment dedicated to monitoring specificequipment for changes), one or more embodiments can compare periodicbefore/after images of equipment to detect changes. For example, imagecapture equipment 430C also can capture images of rack mount serverequipment 472, and, for some types of equipment (e.g., those, like rackmount server 472 that often have empty slots), a ‘before’ image of rackmount server 472 can be captured (e.g., before a new rack mount serveris installed, and compared with an ‘after’ image of changed equipment.It should be noted that this approach can be useful in detecting theaddition or removal of equipment.

In yet another approach to detecting configuration change events anddetermining which inventory equipment is implicated by the events, oneor more embodiments can access technical information about differentequipment, including, but not limited to assessing maintenance schedules(e.g., power and cooling equipment 474A may have a service callscheduled), compatibility of replacement parts (e.g., cooling systemcomponent 476 may not be compatible with power and cooling equipment474A).

In an example of some of the capabilities of one or more embodiments, toaccess gathered details, change detection equipment 150 can generatequeries for inventory tracking equipment 170, e.g., for a list ofpossible power and cooling equipment 474A-B that are deployed in datacenter 470. Results can include a subgroup of equipment that can be usedfor further analysis, e.g., analysis by change mapping component 126.One having skill in the relevant art(s), given the description herein,will appreciate that other information about equipment stored ininventory tracking equipment 170 can be retrieved by change detectionequipment 150 in a similar fashion.

Thus, based at least on these non-limiting example approaches, data canbe collected by one or more embodiments that can gather a detailedpicture of potential configuration changes to different equipment atinventory site 185. In a variation of the approach to analyzing thedifferent factors discussed above (e.g., both to detect configurationevents and the mapping the detected events to equipment) one or moreembodiments can utilize one or more AI/ML approaches. FIG. 5 describessample approaches to utilizing AI/ML technologies as well as additionalcomponents that can be used.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a non-limiting example system 500 that canfacilitate utilizing AI/ML techniques to detect configuration changesand map detected changes to inventoried equipment, in accordance withone or more embodiments. For purposes of brevity, description of likeelements and/or processes employed in other embodiments is omitted. Asdepicted, change detection equipment 150 can further comprise AI/MLcomponents 510 to generate and maintain a predictive model 540 ofconfiguration changes. Thus, for all of the analysis discussed andsuggested above, AI/ML component 510 can be applied to increase accuracyover time.

In one or more embodiments, AI/ML components 510 can comprise anartificial neural network (ANN), e.g., initially trained andsubsequently updated by image data from operation of the site. Onehaving skill in the relevant art(s), given the description hereinappreciate that different ways can be used to train ANNs and similarAI/ML components, including feeding the system images captured fromoperation of inventory site 185, along with reports of whatconfiguration actions, if any, occurred along with the historicalimages. Similarly, the ANN can be updated by the operation ofembodiments by approaches including, but not limited to, capturing andsending back records of configuration changes (e.g., feedback 510A),e.g., by correlating configuration update reports with location andtimestamp data from images collected.

Alternatively, in circumstances where a second source of inventory datais used to detect errors in inventory tracking equipment 170, inaddition to correcting errors in the inventory system, the errors canalso be linked to training images, for updating the ANN.

In certain embodiments, different functions of AI/ML component 510 canbe facilitated based on principles of AI that include, but are notlimited to, classifications, correlations, inferences and/orexpressions, with for example, AI/ML component 510 employing approachesthat include, but are not limited to, expert systems, fuzzy logic, statevector machines (SVMs), Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), greedy searchalgorithms, rule-based systems, Bayesian models (e.g., Bayesiannetworks), non-linear training techniques, data fusion, andutility-based analytical systems. Additional implementations can includeensemble ML algorithms/methods, including deep neural networks (DNN),reinforcement learning (RL), and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 that can facilitate monitoringthe configuration of an inventory of devices using captured images of asite, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposes ofbrevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed in otherembodiments is omitted.

At 602, method 600 can include identifying a group of equipmentinstalled at locations within a site. For example, one or moreembodiments can use a method including identifying a group of equipmentinstalled at locations within a site. At 604, method 600 can include,based on an image captured at the site by image capture equipment,detect, by the tracking equipment, configuration activity at the site.For example, in one or more embodiments, the method can include based onan image captured at the site by image capture equipment, detecting, bythe tracking equipment, configuration activity at the site.

At 606, method 600 can include based on analysis of the image,associating, by the tracking equipment, the configuration activity withequipment of the group of equipment. For example, in one or moreembodiments, based on analysis of the image, associating, by thetracking equipment, the configuration activity with equipment of thegroup of equipment.

FIG. 7 depicts a system 700 that can facilitate monitoring theconfiguration of an inventory of devices using captured images of asite, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For purposes ofbrevity, description of like elements and/or processes employed in otherembodiments is omitted. As depicted, system 700 can include inventoryidentifying component 122, change detecting component 124, changemapping component 126, and other components described or suggested bydifferent embodiments described herein, that can improve the operationof system 700.

In an example, component 702 can include the functions of inventoryidentifying component 122, supported by the other layers of system 700.For example, component 702 can identify a group of equipment installedat locations within a site. For example, one or more embodiments canidentify a group of equipment installed at locations within a site.

In this and other examples, component 704 can include the functions ofchange detecting component 124, supported by the other layers of system700. Continuing this example, in one or more embodiments, component 704can, based on an image captured at the site by image capture equipmentconfiguration activity at the site. For example, one or more embodimentscan, based on an image captured at the site by image capture equipment,detect, by the tracking equipment, configuration activity at the site.

In an example, component 706 can include the functions of change mappingcomponent 126, supported by the other layers of system 700. For example,component 706 can, based on analysis of the image, associate theconfiguration activity with equipment of the group of equipment. Forexample, in one or more embodiments, change mapping component 126 ofchange detection equipment 150 can, based on analysis of the image,associate the configuration activity with equipment of the group ofequipment.

FIG. 8 depicts an example 800 non-transitory machine-readable medium 810that can include executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor of a system, facilitate monitoring the configuration of aninventory of devices using captured images of a site, in accordance withone or more embodiments described above. For purposes of brevity,description of like elements and/or processes employed in otherembodiments is omitted. As depicted, non-transitory machine-readablemedium 810 includes executable instructions that can facilitateperformance of operations 802-808.

In one or more embodiments, the operations can include operation 802that can, based on an image captured at the site by image captureequipment, detect, by the tracking equipment, configuration activity atthe site. For example, one or more embodiments can, based on an imagecaptured at the site by image capture equipment, detect, by the trackingequipment, configuration activity at the site.

Operations can further include operation 804, that can, based on animage captured at the site by image capture equipment, detect, by thetracking equipment, configuration activity at the site. For example, oneor more embodiments can, based on an image captured at the site by imagecapture equipment, detect, by the tracking equipment, configurationactivity at the site.

In one or more embodiments, the operations can include operation 806that can, based on analysis of the image, associate, by the trackingequipment, the configuration activity with equipment of the group ofequipment. For example, one or more embodiments can, based on analysisof the image, associate the configuration activity with equipment of thegroup of equipment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of an example mobile handset900 operable to engage in a system architecture that facilitateswireless communications according to one or more embodiments describedherein. Although a mobile handset is illustrated herein, it will beunderstood that other devices can be a mobile device, and that themobile handset is merely illustrated to provide context for theembodiments of the various embodiments described herein. The followingdiscussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of anexample of a suitable environment in which the various embodiments canbe implemented. While the description includes a general context ofcomputer-executable instructions embodied on a machine-readable storagemedium, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodimentsalso can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/oras a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, solid statedrive (SSD) or other solid-state storage technology, Compact Disk ReadOnly Memory (CD ROM), digital video disk (DVD), Blu-ray disk, or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe computer. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory”herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are tobe understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se asmodifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memoryor computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitorysignals per se.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media

The handset includes a processor 902 for controlling and processing allonboard operations and functions. A memory 904 interfaces to theprocessor 902 for storage of data and one or more applications 906(e.g., a video player software, user feedback component software, etc.).Other applications can include voice recognition of predetermined voicecommands that facilitate initiation of the user feedback signals. Theapplications 906 can be stored in the memory 904 and/or in a firmware908, and executed by the processor 902 from either or both the memory904 or/and the firmware 908. The firmware 908 can also store startupcode for execution in initializing the handset 900. A communicationscomponent 910 interfaces to the processor 902 to facilitatewired/wireless communication with external systems, e.g., cellularnetworks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, the communications component910 can also include a suitable cellular transceiver 911 (e.g., a GSMtransceiver) and/or an unlicensed transceiver 913 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax)for corresponding signal communications. The handset 900 can be a devicesuch as a cellular telephone, a PDA with mobile communicationscapabilities, and messaging-centric devices. The communicationscomponent 910 also facilitates communications reception from terrestrialradio networks (e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, andInternet-based radio services networks

The handset 900 includes a display 912 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 912 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 912 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface914 is provided in communication with the processor 902 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1294) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 900, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 916, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 916 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 900 can include a slot interface 918 for accommodating a SIC(Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a card SIM oruniversal SIM 920, and interfacing the SIM card 920 with the processor902. However, it is to be appreciated that the SIM card 920 can bemanufactured into the handset 900, and updated by downloading data andsoftware.

The handset 900 can process IP data traffic through the communicationscomponent 910 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 900 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or a decoded format.

A video processing component 922 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 922can aid in facilitating the generation, editing, and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 900 also includes a power source 924 in the form ofbatteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 924 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 926.

The handset 900 can also include a video component 930 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 930 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 932 facilitates geographically locating the handset 900. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 934facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 934 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 934 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 906, a hysteresis component 936facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 938 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 936 when the Wi-Fi transceiver913 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 940 enables thehandset 900 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriber withthe SIP registrar server. The applications 906 can also include a client942 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play and storeof multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 900, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 910, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 913 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 900. The handset 900 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

Network 190 can employ various cellular systems, technologies, andmodulation schemes to facilitate wireless radio communications betweendevices. While example embodiments include use of 5G new radio (NR)systems, one or more embodiments discussed herein can be applicable toany radio access technology (RAT) or multi-RAT system, including whereuser equipment operate using multiple carriers, e.g., LTE FDD/TDD,GSM/GERAN, CDMA2000, etc. For example, wireless communication system 200can operate in accordance with global system for mobile communications(GSM), universal mobile telecommunications service (UMTS), long termevolution (LTE), LTE frequency division duplexing (LTE FDD, LTE timedivision duplexing (TDD), high speed packet access (HSPA), code divisionmultiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCMDA), CDMA2000, time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA), single-carriercode division multiple access (SC-CDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA),orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fouriertransform spread OFDM (DFT-spread OFDM) single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA),Filter bank based multi-carrier (FBMC), zero tail DFT-spread-OFDM (ZTDFT-s-OFDM), generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM), fixedmobile convergence (FMC), universal fixed mobile convergence (UFMC),unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), unique word DFT-spread OFDM (UWDFT-Spread-OFDM), cyclic prefix OFDM CP-OFDM, resource-block-filteredOFDM, Wi Fi, WLAN, WiMax, and the like. However, various features andfunctionalities of system 100 are particularly described wherein thedevices of system 100 are configured to communicate wireless signalsusing one or more multi carrier modulation schemes, wherein data symbolscan be transmitted simultaneously over multiple frequency subcarriers(e.g., OFDM, CP-OFDM, DFT-spread OFMD, UFMC, FMBC, etc.). Theembodiments are applicable to single carrier as well as to multicarrier(MC) or carrier aggregation (CA) operation of the user equipment. Theterm carrier aggregation (CA) is also called (e.g., interchangeablycalled) “multi-carrier system”, “multi-cell operation”, “multi-carrieroperation”, “multi-carrier” transmission and/or reception. Note thatsome embodiments are also applicable for Multi RAB (radio bearers) onsome carriers (that is data plus speech is simultaneously scheduled).

Various embodiments described herein can be configured to provide andemploy 5G wireless networking features and functionalities. With 5Gnetworks that may use waveforms that split the bandwidth into severalsub bands, different types of services can be accommodated in differentsub bands with the most suitable waveform and numerology, leading toimproved spectrum utilization for 5G networks. Notwithstanding, in themmWave spectrum, the millimeter waves have shorter wavelengths relativeto other communications waves, whereby mmWave signals can experiencesevere path loss, penetration loss, and fading. However, the shorterwavelength at mmWave frequencies also allows more antennas to be packedin the same physical dimension, which allows for large-scale spatialmultiplexing and highly directional beamforming.

FIG. 10 provides additional context for various embodiments describedherein, intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitableoperating environment 1000 in which the various embodiments of theembodiment described herein can be implemented. While the embodimentshave been described above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the various methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, Internet of Things (IoT)devices, distributed computing systems, as well as personal computers,hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operativelycoupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media, machine-readable storage media,and/or communications media, which two terms are used herein differentlyfrom one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media ormachine-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media or machine-readablestorage media can be implemented in connection with any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer-readable ormachine-readable instructions, program modules, structured data orunstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD) or other optical disk storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, solid state drives or other solid statestorage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms“tangible” or “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 10 , the example operating environment 1000for implementing various embodiments of the aspects described hereinincludes a computer 1002, the computer 1002 including a processing unit1004, a system memory 1006 and a system bus 1008. The system bus 1008couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 1006 to the processing unit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1006includes ROM 1010 and RAM 1012. A basic input/output system (BIOS) canbe stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmableread only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer1002, such as during startup. The RAM 1012 can also include a high-speedRAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1002 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), one or more external storage devices 1016(e.g., a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, a memory stick or flashdrive reader, a memory card reader, etc.) and a drive 1020, e.g., suchas a solid-state drive, an optical disk drive, which can read or writefrom a disk 1022, such as a CD-ROM disc, a DVD, a BD, etc.Alternatively, where a solid-state drive is involved, disk 1022 wouldnot be included, unless separate. While the internal HDD 1014 isillustrated as located within the computer 1002, the internal HDD 1014can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (notshown). Additionally, while not shown in environment 1000, a solid-statedrive (SSD) could be used in addition to, or in place of, an HDD 1014.The HDD 1014, external storage device(s) 1016 and drive 1020 can beconnected to the system bus 1008 by an HDD interface 1024, an externalstorage interface 1026 and a drive interface 1028, respectively. Theinterface 1024 for external drive implementations can include at leastone or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Otherexternal drive connection technologies are within contemplation of theembodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1002, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to respective types of storage devices, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storagemedia which are readable by a computer, whether presently existing ordeveloped in the future, could also be used in the example operatingenvironment, and further, that any such storage media can containcomputer-executable instructions for performing the methods describedherein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1012,including an operating system 1030, one or more application programs1032, other program modules 1034 and program data 1036. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1012. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

Computer 1002 can optionally comprise emulation technologies. Forexample, a hypervisor (not shown) or other intermediary can emulate ahardware environment for operating system 1030, and the emulatedhardware can optionally be different from the hardware illustrated inFIG. 10 . In such an embodiment, operating system 1030 can comprise onevirtual machine (VM) of multiple VMs hosted at computer 1002.Furthermore, operating system 1030 can provide runtime environments,such as the Java runtime environment or the .NET framework, forapplications 1032. Runtime environments are consistent executionenvironments that allow applications 1032 to run on any operating systemthat includes the runtime environment. Similarly, operating system 1030can support containers, and applications 1032 can be in the form ofcontainers, which are lightweight, standalone, executable packages ofsoftware that include, e.g., code, runtime, system tools, systemlibraries and settings for an application.

Further, computer 1002 can be enable with a security module, such as atrusted processing module (TPM). For instance, with a TPM, bootcomponents hash next in time boot components, and wait for a match ofresults to secured values, before loading a next boot component. Thisprocess can take place at any layer in the code execution stack ofcomputer 1002, e.g., applied at the application execution level or atthe operating system (OS) kernel level, thereby enabling security at anylevel of code execution.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1002 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1038, a touchscreen 1040, and a pointing device, such as a mouse 1042. Other inputdevices (not shown) can include a microphone, an infrared (IR) remotecontrol, a radio frequency (RF) remote control, or other remote control,a joystick, a virtual reality controller and/or virtual reality headset,a game pad, a stylus pen, an image input device, e.g., camera(s), agesture sensor input device, a vision movement sensor input device, anemotion or facial detection device, a biometric input device, e.g.,fingerprint or iris scanner, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an input deviceinterface 1044 that can be coupled to the system bus 1008, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, a BLUETOOTH®interface, etc.

A monitor 1046 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 1008 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1048. Inaddition to the monitor 1046, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1002 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1050. The remotecomputer(s) 1050 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1002, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device1052 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1054 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1056. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can beconnected to the local network 1054 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1058. The adapter 1058 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1054, which canalso include a wireless access point (AP) disposed thereon forcommunicating with the adapter 1058 in a wireless mode.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can includea modem 1060 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN1056 via other means for establishing communications over the WAN 1056,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1060, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 1008 via the input device interface 1044. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1002 orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1052. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

When used in either a LAN or WAN networking environment, the computer1002 can access cloud storage systems or other network-based storagesystems in addition to, or in place of, external storage devices 1016 asdescribed above, such as but not limited to a network virtual machineproviding one or more aspects of storage or processing of information.Generally, a connection between the computer 1002 and a cloud storagesystem can be established over a LAN 1054 or WAN 1056 e.g., by theadapter 1058 or modem 1060, respectively. Upon connecting the computer1002 to an associated cloud storage system, the external storageinterface 1026 can, with the aid of the adapter 1058 and/or modem 1060,manage storage provided by the cloud storage system as it would othertypes of external storage. For instance, the external storage interface1026 can be configured to provide access to cloud storage sources as ifthose sources were physically connected to the computer 1002.

The computer 1002 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, store shelf, etc.), and telephone. This can include WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subjectdisclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the preciseforms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are describedherein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possiblethat are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples,as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described inconnection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, whereapplicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitutefunction of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to anysingle embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed inbreadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

Further to the description above, as it employed in the subjectspecification, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor mayalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“platform,” “layer,” “selector,” “interface,” and the like are intendedto refer to a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both anapplication running on a server and the server can be a component. Oneor more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media, device readablestorage devices, or machine-readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software or firmwareapplication executed by a processor, wherein the processor can beinternal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form.

Additionally, the terms “core-network”, “core”, “core carrier network”,“carrier-side”, or similar terms can refer to components of atelecommunications network that typically provides some or all ofaggregation, authentication, call control and switching, charging,service invocation, or gateways. Aggregation can refer to the highestlevel of aggregation in a service provider network wherein the nextlevel in the hierarchy under the core nodes is the distribution networksand then the edge networks. User equipment do not normally connectdirectly to the core networks of a large service provider, but can berouted to the core by way of a switch or radio area network.Authentication can refer to determinations regarding whether the userrequesting a service from the telecom network is authorized to do sowithin this network or not. Call control and switching can referdeterminations related to the future course of a call stream acrosscarrier equipment based on the call signal processing. Charging can berelated to the collation and processing of charging data generated byvarious network nodes. Two common types of charging mechanisms found inpresent day networks can be prepaid charging and postpaid charging.Service invocation can occur based on some explicit action (e.g., calltransfer) or implicitly (e.g., call waiting). It is to be noted thatservice “execution” may or may not be a core network functionality asthird-party network/nodes may take part in actual service execution. Agateway can be present in the core network to access other networks.Gateway functionality can be dependent on the type of the interface withanother network.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,”“prosumer,” “agent,” and the like are employed interchangeablythroughout the subject specification, unless context warrants particulardistinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated that such termscan refer to human entities or automated components (e.g., supportedthrough artificial intelligence, as through a capacity to makeinferences based on complex mathematical formalisms), that can providesimulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Aspects, features, or advantages of the subject matter can be exploitedin substantially any, or any, wired, broadcast, wirelesstelecommunication, radio technology or network, or combinations thereof.Non-limiting examples of such technologies or networks include Geocasttechnology; broadcast technologies (e.g., sub-Hz, ELF, VLF, LF, MF, HF,VHF, UHF, SHF, THz broadcasts, etc.); Ethernet; X.25; powerline-typenetworking (e.g., PowerLine AV Ethernet, etc.); femto-cell technology;Wi-Fi; Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX); EnhancedGeneral Packet Radio Service (Enhanced GPRS); Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP or 3G) Long Term Evolution (LTE); 3GPPUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or 3GPP UMTS; ThirdGeneration Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB);High Speed Packet Access (HSPA); High Speed Downlink Packet Access(HSDPA); High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA); GSM Enhanced DataRates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (RAN) or GERAN;Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN); or LTE Advanced.

What has been described above includes examples of systems and methodsillustrative of the disclosed subject matter. It is, of course, notpossible to describe every combination of components or methods herein.One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many furthercombinations and permutations of the disclosure are possible.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,”“possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims,appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim.

While the various embodiments are susceptible to various modificationsand alternative constructions, certain illustrated implementationsthereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention tolimit the various embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, but onthe contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternativeconstructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope ofthe various embodiments.

In addition to the various implementations described herein, it is to beunderstood that other similar implementations can be used, ormodifications and additions can be made to the describedimplementation(s) for performing the same or equivalent function of thecorresponding implementation(s) without deviating therefrom. Stillfurther, multiple processing chips or multiple devices can share theperformance of one or more functions described herein, and similarly,storage can be affected across a plurality of devices. Accordingly, theembodiments are not to be limited to any single implementation, butrather are to be construed in breadth, spirit and scope in accordancewith the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: identifying, by trackingequipment comprising a processor, a group of equipment installed atlocations within a site; based on an image captured at the site by imagecapture equipment, identifying, by the tracking equipment, configurationactivity at the site; and based on analysis of the image, associating,by the tracking equipment, the configuration activity with equipment ofthe group of equipment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the imagecapture equipment comprises a security camera installed at the site. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the configuration activitycomprises identifying the configuration activity within a thresholdproximity to a location where the equipment is installed.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein the site is a data center and the location comprisesa rack of server equipment.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein theconfiguration activity comprises delivery of a component, and whereinassociating the configuration activity with the equipment is based onthe component being determined to be compatible with the equipment andthe configuration activity being within the threshold proximity to thelocation where the equipment is installed.
 6. The method of claim 3,wherein identifying the configuration activity comprises identifying avehicle associated with changes to configuration settings of the groupof equipment.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the group ofequipment comprises identifying the group of equipment based onequipment information stored in a data storage system.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the data storage system comprises an inventory system,and wherein the method further comprises updating, by the trackingequipment, the inventory system based on the equipment and theconfiguration activity.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the equipmentcomprises new equipment added to the group of equipment, wherein theconfiguration activity comprises installing the new equipment at aninstallation location at the site, and wherein the method furthercomprises, updating, by the tracking equipment, the equipmentinformation stored in the data storage system to include the newequipment and the installation location.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the image capture equipment comprises a video camera, andwherein the image comprises a frame of a video captured by the videocamera.
 11. Inventory tracking equipment, comprising: a processor; and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receivingequipment information corresponding to a group of equipment installed ata site, wherein the equipment information comprises informationcorresponding to respective locations and respective configurations ofrespective ones of the group of equipment; and receiving, fromconfiguration detection equipment, updated equipment information foridentified equipment of the group of equipment, wherein the updatedequipment information comprises an updated configuration applicable tothe identified equipment, and wherein the updated configuration wasgenerated by the configuration detection equipment to update aconfiguration of the identified equipment based on an identified change,the identified change being identified based on: an image of activity atthe site captured by image capture equipment, and an analysis of theactivity to identify a change to the configuration of the identifiedequipment, resulting in the identified change.
 12. The inventorytracking equipment of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise,receiving, from the configuration detection equipment, a query for asubgroup of the group of equipment that is located at an activitylocation of the activity at the site, and wherein the identifiedequipment was identified based on a result of the query.
 13. Theinventory tracking equipment of claim 11, wherein the operations furthercomprise, receiving, from the configuration detection equipment, a queryfor respective configurations of a subgroup of the group of equipment,and wherein the identified equipment was identified based on a result ofthe query.
 14. The inventory tracking equipment of claim 11, wherein theimage capture equipment comprises a video camera, and wherein the imagecomprises a frame of a video captured by the video camera.
 15. Theinventory tracking equipment of claim 11, wherein the activity comprisesa modification of the identified equipment for at least a thresholdperiod of time.
 16. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor ofconfiguration equipment, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: identifying network devices deployed at locations within asite; based on an image captured at the site by image capture equipment,identifying configuration activity at the site associated with thenetwork devices; and based on analysis of the image, associating theconfiguration activity with a network device of the network devices,wherein associating the configuration activity with the network devicecomprises identifying the network device based on equipment informationstored in an inventory management system accessible to the configurationequipment.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16,wherein the image capture equipment comprises a video camera, andwherein the image comprises a frame of a video captured by the videocamera.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16,wherein the analysis of the image comprises identifying differencesbetween the image and a previously captured image.
 19. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the sitecomprises a data center, and wherein identifying the differencescomprises identifying additional network devices that have beeninstalled in a rack of network devices since the previously capturedimage.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 19,wherein the image capture equipment comprises a camera within the rackof network devices.